Sorry, don't have a good camera or a great internet connection. Below is the link to the product information page on KOA's site.
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/prod_display.aspx?from=Folding+Knives&cat=Featherlight+Series
I intended this thread more to gain info on the Denali than to review my own knife, but I will say a few more words about the design. The knife has a "rough" look to it, as though it were made for the designer's own daily mundane use and then marketed as an afterthought. That said, closer inspection reveals some neat design points. First is the weight, which is negligible. This knife would disappear in a shirt pocket if it wasn't so long (4.25" closed). A 3" blade at only 2 oz. is somewhat remarkable in its own right. This is achieved through G10 slabs with minimal liners. Both liners are nested into the scale. On the non-lock side, the liner covers only the pivot, with the rest of that slab consisting of unlined G10. This cuts weight while keeping strength at the pivot, the area of highest stress.
The handle is open, with torx screw construction. The pivot screw looks thick, with what appear to be PB washers, but I haven't taken it apart to confirm. Fit and finish are excellent, better than on some much more expensive folders I own. The blade is 3" long, 2.5mm thick, flat ground D2 tool steel with a bead-blasted finish. I'm not a fan of the bead-blasting. Aesthetically, I prefer a polished finish. Also, rumor has it that bead-blasting increases the tendency to corrode, which seems like a poor choice on a non-stainless blade (I don't like the double negative either, but couldn't think how else to word it
). I can neither confirm nor deny from personal experience.
Most importantly, how is it to use? The thin, relatively narrow blade is great for food prep (cutting up fruit, slicing cheese). I have also used it to cut small branches (arms for my daughter's snow man
), which it easily accomplished. The knife is marketed for field dressing medium game, which I have not attempted. Ergonomics are good once the knife is open. The lack of a pocket clip means you have to dig for it. That, plus the small opening hole makes it a pain to open with gloves on. These are not problems indoors, although 4.25" is a bit longer than I prefer to carry loose in my front pocket.
As to the hole: in general, I prefer an opening hole to a thumb stud because it is flush with the blade so doesn't get in the way when slicing. This particular hole is oval, rather than round as in Spyderco knives. The round hole is IMHO the best blade opening mechanism, due the slicing issue and the ergonomics of the circular motion on your thumb pad. However, the round hole is a Spyderco trademark, so other companies must pay to use it, or find another shape. The oval hole is not as comfortable rotating on my thumb, but I have gotten used to it and it does not bother me anymore. The benefit is that one can make a narrow-bellied blade without necessity of a "hump", as on most Spyderco models. The hump has its uses, but I sometimes prefer this kind of geometry.
To conclude:
Pros: Top shelf handle and blade materials, fit and finish, weight, blade geometry, green G10
, price, Made in USA
Cons: No pocket clip, small opening hole, bead blasted blade (personal preference)
Overall: I've been cheerfully carrying it for a week. Well worth the price tag. It has some flaws, but overall is a very good EDC general utility knife.
